City of
the Future.
Back to the project

A practical guide for the classroom

Let’s turn an idea into a city.

Eleven activities, grouped into four stages. Open an activity to see what to do and what to create.

12 weeks. One future city.

A visual teaching journey · 4 phases · 11 core activities · Ages 10-16

  1. Week 1Research

    Discover SDGs

    Explore sustainable cities

    What you will create
    Urban issues + SDG links
  2. Week 2Research

    Investigate

    Research real city challenges

    What you will create
    Evidence + case examples
  3. Week 3Research

    Define challenge

    Choose issue and SDGs

    What you will create
    City Challenge Statement
  4. Week 4Generate ideas

    Brainstorm

    Create diverse possibilities

    What you will create
    Bank of potential solutions
  5. Week 5Generate ideas

    Select solutions

    Weigh trade-offs and benefits

    What you will create
    City Vision Statement
  6. Week 6Generate ideas

    Draw blueprint

    Map systems and accessibility

    What you will create
    Labelled city blueprint
  7. Week 7Build

    Plan construction

    Choose scale, tools and roles

    What you will create
    Model Construction Plan
  8. Week 8Build

    Build the city

    Create the first city features

    What you will create
    Initial city structures
  9. Week 9Build

    Connect systems

    Add and explain SDG solutions

    What you will create
    Developed city model
  10. Week 10Build

    Test + improve

    Seek feedback and redesign

    What you will create
    Improved, tested model
  11. Week 11Present

    Prepare to present

    Build a clear city narrative

    What you will create
    Rehearsed presentation
  12. Week 12Present

    Showcase + reflect

    Share the city and learning

    What you will create
    City showcase + journal

Teacher route

  1. Guide inquiry
  2. Support decisions
  3. Coach making + testing
  4. Celebrate learning

Suggested sequence: adapt lesson times, accessibility supports and independent project work to your school.

The times are indicative. Activities can be split across lessons and adapted to the group.

01

Explore

Look at your neighbourhood with fresh eyes. Find a challenge worth solving.

1.1

Discover the city challenge

45-60 min

What to do

Discuss what makes a city a good place to live. Collect the problems students notice in their everyday surroundings.

What you will create

A shared board of city challenges.

1.2

Investigate a local problem

90 min

What to do

Observe a familiar place, take notes and gather evidence. Agree on which problem your team wants to explore.

What you will create

Observations and evidence about one local problem.

1.3

Connect your challenge to sustainability

60 min

What to do

Find the Sustainable Development Goals related to your problem. Write one clear question that will guide your project.

What you will create

A challenge question linked to a sustainability goal.

02

Imagine

Share ideas, choose a solution and draw a plan together.

2.1

Imagine a better city

45 min

What to do

Describe how people could live in the city you want to create. Agree on the values that your design should reflect.

What you will create

A shared vision for your future city.

2.2

Generate possible solutions

90 min

What to do

Suggest several ideas before choosing one. Compare how useful, inclusive and realistic each idea would be.

What you will create

A shortlist of solutions and a reasoned choice.

2.3

Draw your first blueprint

90 min

What to do

Sketch your solution and show how people would use it. Label the important parts and explain their purpose.

What you will create

An annotated city blueprint.

03

Build

Make a physical or digital model. Test it and improve what does not work.

3.1

Plan the model

45 min

What to do

Choose a physical or digital format. List the materials and tools you need, then share responsibilities within your team.

What you will create

A build plan, materials list and team roles.

3.2

Create your city model

180-240 min

What to do

Use your blueprint to build the model. Record important design choices and changes as you work.

What you will create

A physical or digital prototype.

3.3

Test, listen and improve

60 min

What to do

Show the model to another team and ask for feedback. Test whether it solves your challenge, then make improvements.

What you will create

An improved model with a record of changes.

04

Share

Present your solution and reflect on what you learned along the way.

4.1

Prepare your presentation

60 min

What to do

Explain the problem, your evidence and your solution. Use your model to show why the design matters.

What you will create

A short presentation supported by your model.

4.2

Share and reflect

90 min

What to do

Present the project and answer questions. Reflect on your contribution, teamwork and what you would do differently next time.

What you will create

A presentation and individual learning reflection.